Francisco Fuentes: everyone’s friend

Feb 1, 2024 | News | 5 comments

Tags: ALMA

“I’ve got you the latest”. That’s what Francisco Fuentes used to say to his colleagues every time he came on shift, accompanied by “I had to go back to work, I didn’t win the lottery”. And that was his trademark: to cheer up with his humor whoever was near him.

These are some of the many impressions left by our Operating Technician and Mechanic, who passed away on January 23, at the age of 66.

“What I remember the most was his good humor when working together and always joking around to make the day more enjoyable,” says David Guzmán, our Mechanical Technician I. “Beyond being colleagues, he became a friend,” he adds.
“Panchito” used to surprise his colleagues with his manual torque wrench punching technique. But what most distinguished him above the rest was his simplicity, kindness and respect for everyone.

“You could share both happy and difficult moments with him,” recalls Fabiola Cruzat, who was his supervisor.

He was contagious because of his good character and ease with people, as well as his dedication: “He was always willing to help, to work as part of a team. He was one of the first to go out to shovel snow when necessary. Whatever had to be done, he did it,” says Fabiola.

The willingness to lend a hand to anyone who needed it was also a part of him: “In 2011 he welcomed me on shift, and from the day I met him I knew what an excellent person he was. He gave me the necessary confidence to start my work and that marked me a lot,” recalls Alexi Villanueva, our Antenna Operator and Technician.
Francisco left his mark on many people during his more than 14 years at ALMA, passing through AIV and then ADE. That is why 13 members of our staff, plus some contractors and former colleagues wanted to accompany his family at his funeral in Vallenar.

“We were able to talk with his family about how Francisco spent his time at ALMA, his contributions and various stories from the construction period until now. They were very proud that Panchito was part of the big ALMA family,” said Norikazu Mizuno, our Deputy Director of Operations.

“We will always have the best memory of Panchito. He left a personal mark on every colleague with whom he shared his time, and each one of us will cherish that forever. RIP”, Alexi concluded.

On behalf of all of ALMA we send our love and condolences to Panchito’s closest colleagues, who now see us from the stars.
Click on the pictures to see more images. We thank Juan Carlos Rojas for his images and Fabiola Cruzat, Alexi Villanueva and David Guzmán for sharing them.
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5 Comments

  1. Carlos Gonzalez

    Muy sentido, bonito y merecido homenaje para Panchito. Se lo describe tal cual era.
    Paz Profunda Panchito!

    Reply
  2. Juan carlos rojas

    Panchito, fue mi contra turno y después el era del martes y yo del jueves. Aun costado de nuestro escritorio siempre lo molestaba, además de juntarnos a conversar en realidad a pelar jajaj. Y si,es cierto, tenía esa frase ” pelao te tengo la ultima” y yo lo miraba aquí o en la cafetería jjaaj panchito gran amigo. Recuerdo unas de varias, cuando éramos contra turno me decía, oye pelao te puedo hacer una pregunta? Si dime panchito que haces con tanta crema wn y tanto perfume y el shampoo, bueno el shampoo es la costumbre y lo demás me cuido wn. Jjaajajaj pero era más la cara que el me ponía al responderle. Se le extraña mucho.

    Reply
  3. Juan carlos

    Panchito, fue mi contra turno y después el era del martes y yo del jueves. Aun costado de nuestro escritorio siempre lo molestaba, además de juntarnos a conversar en realidad a pelar jajaj. Y si,es cierto, tenía esa frase ” pelao te tengo la ultima” y yo lo miraba aquí o en la cafetería jjaaj panchito gran amigo. Recuerdo unas de varias, cuando éramos contra turno me decía, oye pelao te puedo hacer una pregunta? Si dime panchito que haces con tanta crema wn y tanto perfume y el shampoo, bueno el shampoo es la costumbre y lo demás me cuido wn. Jjaajajaj pero era más la cara que el me ponía al responderle. Se le extraña mucho.

    Reply
  4. Juan carlos

    Panchito, fue mi contra turno y después el era del martes y yo del jueves. Aun costado de nuestro escritorio siempre lo molestaba, además de juntarnos a conversar en realidad a pelar jajaj. Y si,es cierto, tenía esa frase ” pelao te tengo la ultima” y yo lo miraba aquí o en la cafetería jjaaj panchito gran amigo. Recuerdo unas de varias, cuando éramos contra turno me decía, oye pelao te puedo hacer una pregunta? Si dime panchito que haces con tanta crema y tanto perfume y el shampoo si no tienes pelo, bueno el shampoo es la costumbre y lo demás me cuido. Jjaajajaj pero era más la cara que el me ponía al responderle. Se le extraña mucho.

    Reply
  5. Oscar Alarcón

    Un abrazo al cielo Panchito!
    Se te recordara con mucho carino, agradecimiento y admiracion.

    Reply

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